Question for Tom Doak

[Chuck Glowacki]

Donald Zucker has purschased Long Island National in Riverhead for just under 6 million.  In a Newsday article (June 29, 2013)
it was mentioned that you would be "taking a look" at the course.  The previous owner had done some repair work (bunkers)
and was wondering if you have been been there yet and what are the plans?
ps:  6 mil for a golf course (what a steal) when that might buy one acre on the south fork

[Tom_Doak]

Chuck:

I was out there with Mr. Zucker in August; it was the first stop on my trip taking my intern around the courses in Rhode Island and getting out to Oyster Harbors and Yale.

I made some suggestions, which I think they intend to pursue.  Nothing too radical, because he wants to keep the golf course in play next spring, so that precludes any major changes to the routing or greens -- which are the only ways to REALLY improve a course in my opinion.  Whatever of it they choose to do this year, they'll have to do in-house, since my crew are all still committed to projects in China and New Zealand, plus a big bunker project at Hollywood GC in New Jersey.

[John Shimp]

Tom,
As an add-on, I was at Shoreacres last week where extensive fairway widening, bunker work, and some tree removal was underway.
I heard your name mentioned as being involved but then heard that it was all in house.  Left me wondering.  Great place Shoreacres.  Played Old Elm and Chicago Golf Club too.  Was really impressed with the strength and fun of those 3.  Greens were terrifyingly fast and difficult at each. 

[Tom_Doak]

Tom,
As an add-on, I was at Shoreacres last week where extensive fairway widening, bunker work, and some tree removal was underway.
I heard your name mentioned as being involved but then heard that it was all in house.  Left me wondering.  Great place Shoreacres.  Played Old Elm and Chicago Golf Club too.  Was really impressed with the strength and fun of those 3.  Greens were terrifyingly fast and difficult at each. 

John:

I've been consulting at Shoreacres for many years, but hadn't been back for a while until this past spring, because they wanted to do some things.  Presumably it's all as I suggested.

[Zack Molnar]

Tom,

What is your process for providing recommendations to a club? Do you tend to play the course a couple times to get your ideas, walk the course? Or do you have a general idea of what you will suggest before you get onsite, and when you visit, you are able to find specific points for the club to execute on?

Also, do you give the club an entire array of items to improve upon, or do they generally give you an idea of a few areas they think need improvement, and you give ideas for those select areas even if you see other sections that need updates?

Zack